A recent Israeli drone strike in Gaza City has left at least five children dead, adding to the growing toll of young lives lost in the ongoing conflict. The attack, which targeted a crowded street in the heart of the city, has drawn sharp criticism from international observers and deepened concerns about civilian safety in the war-torn enclave.
What Happened?
On April 28, 2025, an Israeli drone fired missiles at a busy area in central Gaza City, killing at least 12 Palestinians, including multiple children. Eyewitnesses described chaos as rescuers pulled bodies from the rubble, with local sources confirming that some of the youngest victims were under the age of 10. This incident follows a pattern of deadly strikes in recent weeks, including an April 18 attack that killed 11 people, two of them children, in northern Gaza.
The strike occurred amid heightened tensions following Israel’s surprise military offensive in March 2025, codenamed Operation Might and Sword, which ended a fragile ceasefire and resulted in over 855 Palestinian deaths. Since then, Israel has intensified air and drone strikes, with civilian areas frequently caught in the crossfire.
Why Are Children Affected?
Gaza’s dense population and limited safe zones make children particularly vulnerable. Over 52,000 Palestinians have been killed since October 2023, with a significant proportion being women and children. Schools, hospitals, and residential areas have repeatedly been hit, despite being designated as shelters. For example, a May 2024 drone strike on a school in Jabaliya killed 10 people, including children seeking safety.
International organizations like the United Nations warn that Gaza’s healthcare system is collapsing, leaving injured civilians with little access to treatment. Families are often forced to dig through rubble by hand to recover loved ones, as seen in a December 2023 incident documented by Sky News.
International Reactions
The International Court of Justice (ICJ) is currently examining allegations that Israel’s actions amount to genocide. Egypt’s foreign ministry has accused Israel of deliberately creating “unlivable” conditions to force Palestinians out of their homeland. Legal experts, including those representing Egypt, argue that Israel’s blockade and military tactics violate international law by targeting civilians and restricting humanitarian aid.
The International Criminal Court (ICC) has already issued arrest warrants for Israeli leaders, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, for alleged war crimes. Meanwhile, the United States faces criticism for delaying UN resolutions aimed at increasing aid to Gaza.
The Bigger Picture
The conflict’s roots trace back decades, but the current escalation began after Hamas attacked Israel on October 7, 2023. Israel’s subsequent military campaign has displaced over 1.7 million Palestinians and reduced much of Gaza to rubble. Ceasefire agreements, like the one brokered in January 2025, have repeatedly collapsed, with both sides blaming each other for the failures.
Human rights groups stress that international law requires armies to distinguish between combatants and civilians. However, the high number of child casualties suggests this principle is being ignored.
What Comes Next?
The immediate focus remains on stopping the violence and delivering aid. However, long-term solutions require addressing core issues like Palestinian statehood, Israeli security concerns, and the humanitarian crisis. With the ICJ hearings underway, the world is watching to see whether legal pressure can bring accountability-and ultimately, peace.
With inputs from agencies
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